Bogalusa officials declared a state of emergency after the 2 p.m. parish briefing, and officials announced city offices would be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, except for essential personnel.

Thursday’s openings depend on the weather, officials said.

Supervisors will be on the job throughout the event, and will be accessible to the public. Anybody who needs to contact the Public Works Department can call 732-6213 during regular work hours or via the police department, at 732-3611 after hours.

All schools in Bogalusa, including Northshore Technical Community College, will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the possibility of also being closed on Thursday.

City streets will be closed only as needed. Bridges were being sanded, and barricades were at-the-ready on Monday.

Also, LSU Bogalusa Medical Center clinics will be closed, and there will be no elective surgeries performed. The emergency room will remain open.

At midday, Mayor Charles Mizell and others encouraged everybody to get prepared. Power outages are expected, and the below freezing temperatures are forecast to last between 48 and 60 hours. Stores will likely be closed, Mizell said.

At some point on Tuesday it is also possible that emergency vehicles will not be able to get through to some areas.

Public Works Director James Hall urged everyone to get their generators out and ready, and he reminded those with gas heat that many of them need electricity to start.

Mizell said the city is use to preparing for hurricanes, but “this is something brand new to us.”

“And it looks like we’re in the bull’s eye,” he said.

Additional information could be available after a 2 p.m. briefing with the National Weather Service.

Residents are encouraged to check this Web site, as well as the city site, Bogalusa.org for the latest details.